NFL preseason opens as 32 teams move toward August roster deadline

The 2026 NFL preseason opened Aug. 6 with the Hall of Fame Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers in Canton, Ohio, beginning the league-wide evaluation period before the regular season.

All 32 clubs were scheduled to begin training camp by July 28, according to the NFL. The first full preseason weekend is scheduled for Aug. 13-15, with the league’s calendar listing additional preseason games across the three-week schedule.

Roster decisions are due Aug. 30

The NFL has set Aug. 30 as the deadline for clubs to reduce their active and inactive rosters to a maximum of 53 players. That cutdown will require teams to make final decisions on players competing for roster spots during training camp and preseason play.

After the final roster reduction, the league calendar provides for practice-squad formation. Each club is allowed a 17-player practice squad, giving teams another mechanism to retain developing players and maintain depth after the 53-player limit takes effect.

The Aug. 30 cutdown is the next major league-wide personnel date. The preseason schedule and roster deadlines apply across all 32 NFL clubs as teams prepare for the regular season.